NOBODY CAN SAY NO (TO MICHELLE WILLIAMS... OR CAN THEY?)

They say that the greatest things come in threes:

• The Three Fates

• B.L.T. sandwiches

• Robert Downey's 3 year prison sentence for skipping a drug test (but of course, Mr Stark charmed his way out of that one or blasted them with his iron suit of death)

• Ed, Edd n Eddy

• Harry, Ron, Hermione

• 3 Wise Men

• Me, Myself & I* 

And finally, and perhaps most importantly:

Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle.

'Michelle who?' -  I hear some of you ask.

Williams. Michelle Williams!

Still, I'm seeing some baffled looks and hesitant nods, as you pretend to know who the hell I'm talking about.

No, I'm not talking about this one:

THIS one:

Michelle Williams, need I say that name again?*

Well, shame on you, if you didn't know that I am referring to third member of notorious, noughties, r&b girlband Destiny's Child. I emphasize the third here because sadly, that is exactly how Michelle has been portrayed throughout her career.

Michelle is the less renowned member of the trio, and this has been picked up on by the internet...

'First the worst, second the best, third -'

'- I'm the Michelle of the group, aren't I?' 

'Yeh'.

I too have been guilty of this farce: branding the singer as the 'Internet Explorer of the group'; and my mother and I naming our Sat Nav Michelle because it was crap and always lead us down the wrong roads... but I do it all in jest.

Before I go on, I must stress that I personally am a huge fan of Miss Williams, and in the true spirit of democracy, I've always loved her just as much as Beyoncé and Kelly. I especially love her verse in soul-sista anthem of the decade 'Girl' - a song about sisterhood:

'We Ain't Never Seen You Down Like This

What You Mean You Don't Need Us To Help?
We Known Each Other Too Well'

*chest-bumps nearby female for empowerment*

Nevertheless, despite having at least one fan, it is true that Michelle has always been pushed to the side, ostracized and overshadowed by this cruel world in which we live. But she must have mad someone helllaaaa mad in her past life though, because someone's out to get her!

Who's behind this witchcraft?!

I guess we all slip up now and again...

However, an admirable quality in Michelle is that she never gives up! This diva has released 4 albums, acted in Broadway, starred in a few films AND contested in Strictly Come Dancing back in 2010. This girl's a real SURVIVOR*.

In fact, it is her new single 'Say Yes' that I'm building up to here. The song really shows off her sweet vocals, confidence as a solo artist and just PROVES that just because you're not Beyoncé it doesn't mean you can't succeed in life (indeed, Michelle you have taught us an important life lesson).

The song has a real African-soul kick to it, and is just the uplifting beat to make you feel alive and LOSE YOUR BREATH* as your soul sings 'WHEN JESUS SAY YES NOBODY CAN SAY NOOOOOO'. I cannot get it out of my head!

Did I also mention that in the song, Michelle teams up with Beyoncé and Kelly again - making it their first hit since the band's split in 2005? It's great to see such iconic artists reunite on this track, just like back in the good old days of wearing khaki pants and cowboy hats. They're still flawless!

And the best part of it all is that it's still very much Michelle's solo work, and FINALLY, she has the limelight that she truly deserves.

This song is about faith, and after hearing this song, I feel like I've been converted, (seriously - she's just THAT convincing) and with Michelle Williams as the chaplain and with Destiny's Child in the gospel choir, this is one church I can't wait to join!

Michelle, YOU can handle this!*

Check out 'Say Yes' by Michelle Williams down below and let me know what you think about it!

*note: pardon the uncontrollable use of Destiny's Child/Beyoncé puns, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do I'm not even sorry).

- DJ

Life of a ‘Veronica’

From reading any of my other posts, it could be said that Life is a prominent theme within my thoughts. But I am often vague and spiritual in my posts, never specifying what it is exactly that captivates me so. Well today, dear readers, I will reveal what it is that transfixes me in my Life.

There are only two people in my Life who inspire and excite me to such an extent that I cry tears of exquisite elation when they do something I deem fantastic; under their influence I have discovered a myriad of previously conceals traits about myself and my true identity. They have taught me not to be afraid of being who I truly am and doubt that I would have the courage to be the person I am now without this reassurance, this power, that they inspire within me.

From the moment I saw the two dark yet pale, minute yet glorious, obscure yet pure women aptly placed in a gothic church conveying their experiences of being unable to be physically present with loved ones, my eyes amplified, my ears pricked and my skin grew cold. This opened the window to my soul leaving me defenceless, infatuated, and asphyxiated with pure intrigue and alacrity.

I could have watched the two angelic figures on my television screen for hours, and the 4 minute song seemed perpetual, and the unknown force of ardour was growing more potent with each second as it drew me into a new world.

When the song’s intricate melodies had died away from reality, the unthwarted echoes of what I believe to be absolute ecstasy began to orbit the halls of my mind. The pure light which I had just heard, perceived, felt was the most exquisite moment of my life. Nothing has ever captivated me so.

 To this day, I cannot describe what it feels like to be constantly attached to people you have never physically met by silver ties of immeasurable, terrifying, magical Faith. Thin and wispy like a spider’s web, Faith is what connects all of us. Subconsciously, I rely on my Faith of 'The Veronicas' to guide me in reality and to inspire my dreams.

This Friday, after a three year interval of not hearing any new music, 'The Veronicas' will release their first single from their new album. My zeal leads me to believe that ‘Lolita’ will indeed entrance and entice me as much as ‘Untouched’ did on first hearing it. This feeling is novel, unique, fascinating and totally unexplainable. Whenever I feel weak, 'The Veronicas' give me vigour, I feel charged whenever I listen to their music and utterly at peace.

Being a 'Veronica' is unbelievable, the energy received from a song, a tweet, a video is beautiful; the friends I have made, wonderful; the hope of one day meeting my idols and telling them how much I admire, rely on, and cherish them, infinite.

                                                                             **

All that I can gather from this is that from all earnestness, from the pits of my soul, I am perpetually grateful for everything you have done for not only me but for others too. Prior to my knowledge of you, I often felt a pang of vacancy, void of any hope and indeed Faith; my Life, barren of a reason for my tangible being. This love gives me purpose, gives me light! My passions will never cease, with disregard to my sentiments, it is not something which can be controlled, but that is the splendour of being a 'Veronica'. Every day is different, each day unsystematically brings with it an opportunity to be myself and to discover the secrets of dreaming. 

Copyright © JRFB 2012